Miniature rose plant

ABSTRACT

The subject of the present disclosure is a new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant characterized by Mars orange buds and flowers of distinctive form and further indentified by the erect, dwarf, compact plant.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of hardy,dwarf, bush type rose plant of the miniature class; the variety beingprimarily characterized--as to novelty--by the Mars orange flowers,whose buds obtain an orange-brownish cast which in general effect aresimilar to Thanksgiving (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,524, expired).

The variety is further characterized by:

The unique buds and flowers.

An abundance of bloom, with flowers borne one to a stem. No side buds.

Very fragrant.

A plant which is vigorous, of upright growth habit with semi-glossyfoliage with pointed leaflets; the buds and flowers being similar inform and size to the pollen parent, Sheri Anne (Miniature--U.S. PlantPat. No. 3,826).

The plant, which has a normal height of 12 inches (30 cm), can easily bemaintained at this height, or a lesser height, by occasional trimming.

A plant which grows and blooms satisfactorily both in a greenhouse oroutdoors; is good for growing in pots; and provides excellent gardendecoration as well as cut flowers.

The present variety of miniature rose was originated by me in my homegreenhouse, located at Garden Grove, Orange County, Calif., underconditions of careful control and observation, as a cross between Dr. A.J. Verhage (Hybrid Tea--U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,105, expired) as the seedparent and Sheri Anne (Miniature--U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,826) as thepollen parent.

Subsequent to origination of the variety I successfully asexuallyreproduced it in my garden, located as foresaid, (also propagated byPixie Treasures Rose Nursery, 4121 Propsect Ave., Yorba Linda, OrangeCounty, Calif. by budding as well as by cuttings; the reproductionshaving run true in all respects.

The color photograph illustrates the variety, including the foliage,buds and flowers.

Referring now specifically to the new and distinct variety of miniaturerose plant, the following is a detailed description thereof in outline.All major color plate indentifications being reference to The BritishColour Council Horticultural Colour Chart, except where common terms ofcolor definitions are employed.

Type: Hardy; dwarf; bushy; upright; seedling; greenhouse; outdoors; cutflowers; garden decoration; pot plant.

Class: Miniature. Variety name: Indian Princess.

Flowers borne: Singly on upright, slender stems.

Quantity of bloom: Abundant, both outdoors and in the greenhouse.

BUD

Peduncle: Medium length, approx, 3 cm; slender and sturdy; erect;straight; reddish in color; few or many microscopic hairs; few or manyglands.

Size: Before calyx breaks -- small; 2 to 21/2 cm.

Form: Pointed; foliaceous parts extend beyond tip of bud one half ormore than its length.

Color: Green streaked with bronze. As calyx breaks -- color of outsidepetal showing near Mars orange o13 or deeper.

BLOOM

Size: When fully open -- small, averaging about 5 cm.

Petalage: Double, averaging about 20 to 25 petals, arrangedsymmetrically, with a few petaloids close to stamens.

Form: Cupped. As petals open symmetrically they remain in their uprightposition, with topmost edges of petals flairing outward. When fully openoutside petals reflex back at side edges.

PETALS

Substance: Moderately thick and of good substance.

Texture: Smooth and satiny on both surfaces. Veined.

Shape:

Outside petals.--Broad with pointed apex; blunt base.

Intermediate petals.--Same as outside petals; slightly smaller; bluntbase. Few have undulating edges.

Inside petals.--Same as outside petals; much smaller; not as wide; bluntbase.

Petaloids.--Few, close to stamens.

COLOR

One half to three quarters open flower from a plant grown outdoors atPixie Treasures Rose Nursery, Yorba Linda, Calif., Oct. 1982. All colorsstated are close to or very near the following color definitions.

Outside petal:

Outside surface.--Close to or slightly deeper than Mars orange o13;deepening more in cool weather to obtain a brownish cast. Base of petal-- bright golden yellow.

Inside surface.--Close to Mars orange o13, becoming lighter gradually tothe outer edges blending to a color near Mars orange o13/3. Base ofpetal -- bright golden yellow.

Intermediate petal:

Outside surface.--Close to Mars orange o13. Base yellow.

Inside surface.--Same as outside petal. Base yellow.

Inner petal: Same as Intermediate petal. Base same.

GENERAL COLOR EFFECT

Newly open flowers: Symmetrical arrangement of petals of Mars orange inits tones and tints with the lighter tones being to the edges of thepetals and the more intense tones on the inner surface of the petals.

Three to four days open: Informal arrangement of petals. Sunlightchanges color to a hue near Mars orange o13/3 or lighter with theveining of the petals retaining a deeper hue.

BEHAVIOR

Opens well in all weather. Petals tend to hang on for 6 to 7 days thenfall; calyx remains and forms (usually) a hip. Flower longivity (October1982) -- plant in pot--3 to 4 days; plant in ground -- 4 to 5 days; cutflowers at living room temperature -- 3 to 4 days.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens: Vary 50 to 60.

Filaments: Uneven lengths; 6 to 10 mm; golden.

Anthers: Tan; both introse and antrose.

Pollen: Abundant.

Pistils: Projects above disc.

Styles: Golden; several; bunched loosely; 5 mm.

Ovaries: Enclosed in calyx.

Hips: Forms hips readily.

Sepals: Permanent; spear shaped; reflexed.

Seeds: Self polinates readily with 5 or 6 seeds.

FOLIAGE

Leaves: Compound of five leaflets; 6 to 8 cm length.

Leaflets: Broad lanceolate with pointed apex; not supported by apetiolule.

Rachis: Length 4 cm; upper side grooved; under side 1 or 2 minutethorns.

Stipules: Short with slender pointed auricles flairing outward atapprox. 45 degrees.

Color: Medium green; rachis may be green or bronze; serrated edges andveining may be tinted reddish brown in cool weather

GROWTH

Habit: Dwarf, upright; height 30 cm (12 inches).

Growth: Vigorous; length between internodes -- 2 to 21/2 cm; muchbranched.

Canes: Slender; sturdy.

Main stems: Light olive green.

Branches: Medium green to light olive green.

Thorns: Needle declining.

New shoots: Reddish green.

The miniature rose plant and its flowers as herein described may vary inslight detail due to climatic, soil and cultural conditions under whichthe variety may be grown.

The following is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of miniaturerose plant, hardy, dwarf, bushy, upright, much branched habit,substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by buds andflowers which are in a color hue similar to Thanksgiving (HybridTea--Rose--U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,524 -- expired) and giving a coloringeffect of Mars orange flowers with buds being of Mars orange tintedbrown and resembling Sheri Anne (Miniature Rose--U.S. Plant Pat. No.3,826) in form and size, having buds and flowers of a distinct andunusual appearance as compared to other miniature rose plants; saidflowers being fully double, having unique cupped form; and furthercharacterized by its vigor, abundant foliage and ease of propagationfrom softwood cuttings and by budding, and with an abundance of flowers.